Recent articles on POOLCENTER.com - Pool Blogblog.poolcenter.comen-usCopyright 2010 POOLCENTER.com - Pool Blog2/22/2019 6:14:21 AM25Inground Pool Skimmer Plumbing Diagramshttps://blog.poolcenter.com/article.aspx?articleid=6327<p><img src="/designdocuments/skimmer-u3-main-drain-combo-skimmer-plumbing-2.gif" alt="" width="55" hspace="11" align="left" /></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Skimmer plumbing can be confusing underground. Here's five common scenarios for inground pool skimmer plumbing. If your main drain is connected into the skimmer, or if you have an older sylvan or anthony pool, these diagrams of skimmer plumbing should help you with a mental picture of how the pipes are connected underground. Skimmers that are combination skimmers, tying the main drain into the skimmer make use of a diverter or flow valve to control the amount of water coming from the drain.</span></p>- Misc. Equipment2/21/2019 4:36:52 PMDog Pool Safetyhttps://blog.poolcenter.com/article.aspx?articleid=6107<p><span style="font-size: 10pt"><span><img alt="dogs in the pool" src="/getdocument.aspx?filename=pet-pool-safety.jpg" width="55" hspace="10" height="48" align="left" />Swimming pools can be great exercise for dogs, or your pet turtle. But what pool safety measures should be put in place to protect animals from accidental drowning in pools? The focus of this article is <strong>how to keep your pet safe around water</strong>. This brings to mind the pet dog, and If you own a cat, this author assumes that keeping him or her out of the pool is easy, however noted that accidents do occur. <br />
</span></span></p>- Pet Safety2/20/2019 3:58:48 PMWhat NOT to do with Ice on the Pool Cover!https://blog.poolcenter.com/article.aspx?articleid=5988<p><span style="font-size: 10pt"><span><img src="getdocument.aspx?filename=snow_flake_arrow_design_400_wht_6941.jpg" alt="snowflake" width="55" hspace="11" height="59" align="left" />If you have a mesh cover, solid cover or any other cover, and if the water on top has frozen, the only thing to do is wait until a thaw.</span>&nbsp; If you try to remove ice from your cover, you will damage the pool cover. Just a small&nbsp;sliver of ice can damage your pool cover - ruining it or causing an expensive repair job. <br />
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<p>&nbsp;</p><strong>POOL CLOSING</strong>2/20/2019 3:54:55 PMDoggie CPR - how to resuscitate your pet from near drowninghttps://blog.poolcenter.com/article.aspx?articleid=6023<div><span style="font-size: 10pt"><span style="color: black"><img src="getdocument.aspx?filename=dog-pool-safety-2.jpg" alt="" width="55" hspace="11" height="46" border="0" align="left" />If disaster strikes, and your dog begins to drown,&nbsp;</span></span><span style="font-size: 10pt"><span style="color: black"><span style="font-style: normal; color: black"><a href="javascript:popupWin1('/dictionary_term.cfm?term=respiratory',%2050,%2050,%20350,%20300)"><i><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none">respiratory</span></i></a></span> <em>arrest</em> may occur, and usually occurs before cardiac arrest. The heart may continue to beat for several minutes after the breathing stops. Artificial respiration, or rescue breathing, must begin immediately to save your dog's life. If the heart stops, chest compressions must be given right away to keep the blood pumping.</span></span><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt"> </span></div>- Pet Safety2/20/2019 3:52:58 PMUsing Sphagnum Moss as a Pool Purifierhttps://blog.poolcenter.com/article.aspx?articleid=6105<p><img src="/designdocuments/blog-SphagnumFallax.jpg" alt="" width="55" hspace="10" height="37" align="left" /><span style="font-size: 10pt"><span class="ArticleHomePage_Body"><span class="ArticleHomePage_Body"><span class="ArticlePage_Body">But the purpose of this article is the use of Peat, or specifically Sphagnum Moss in swimming pool water purification. Although it may not completely replace the need for chlorine or other halogen in your pool water, using Sphagnum Moss inhibits the growth of microbes, including algae and can reduce the chlorine demand. </span></span></span></span></p>- Natural Pools2/20/2019 3:45:15 PMWinterize your pool with the Mighty Vac!https://blog.poolcenter.com/article.aspx?articleid=5964<p style="text-align: justify"><span style="font-size: 10pt"><span style="font-family: Arial">A lot of you have asked for help with blowing your own pool plumbing lines. In our winter guide, we give an extensive written explanation, but nothing beats a good ol&rsquo; video presentation to help crystallize methods in your mind. In this video, we re-visit Joe Coxes pool, where we shot a pool opening video. An in ground vinyl liner pool, Joe&rsquo;s pool was great for demonstrating how easy it is to blow out your plumbing lines with a Mighty Vac</span></span><span style="font-size: 8pt"><span style="font-family: Arial">. </span></span></p><strong>POOL CLOSING</strong>2/20/2019 3:42:59 PMSpringtime Swimming Pool Start Up Tipshttps://blog.poolcenter.com/article.aspx?articleid=6010<p>Springtime, and it&rsquo;s time to start up the swimming pool. If you invested in a good <a href="http://www.looploc.com/home/flash_noplay.html"><b><span style="color: windowtext">mesh safety cover</span></b></a>, then it will be that much easier. Just brush off any debris with your tele pole and pool brush, disconnect the springs from the anchors and accordion fold the cover and store it.&nbsp;&nbsp;Screw the anchors down first before folding. You can clean the mesh cover as you fold it, with an air blower or a garden hose.</p><strong>POOL OPENING</strong>2/20/2019 3:41:04 PMPool Safety: Have a Safety Scanhttps://blog.poolcenter.com/article.aspx?articleid=5957<p style="text-align: justify;">Once you have your pool opened, taken care of your chemistry requirements, and got the equipment up and running, it's time to make sure your pool is as safe as possible. This is not one of those trademarked terms, just a phrase I use to describe looking at the entire pool area and adjoining areas, for possible, maybe probable, safety issues. There is a term that is trademarked, I think - called Layers of Protection. It would be helpful to the discussion of a Pool Safety Scan if I start by talking about the layers of protection surrounding a swimming pool.</p>- General Safety Tips2/20/2019 3:38:44 PMInground Pool Heater TCO: Buy, Install, Runhttps://blog.poolcenter.com/article.aspx?articleid=6527<p>Pool Heater TCO, or <img src="getdocument.aspx?filename=pentair-mastertemp-heater.jpg" alt="" width="55" hspace="11" height="55" border="0" align="left" />Total Cost of Ownership - What does it cost to buy a pool heater - What's the cost to install a pool heater, and how much does it cost to run a pool heater? These questions, and more, answered in today's post</p>- Pool Heaters2/19/2019 2:47:47 PMPool Caulking with Vulkem SSLhttps://blog.poolcenter.com/article.aspx?articleid=6597<p><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><img width="55" hspace="11" height="62" border="0" align="left" src="getdocument.aspx?filename=caulking-unlimited-DC-Balt.jpg" alt="" />The second reason that caulking is important in the expansion joint around the pool is that it is an expansion joint, to allow room for the pool and deck to expand (when weather heats up), without bumping into each other. When the joint fills up with grit, sand and pebbles, the space between the two is filled and they can move as one, and guess who wins?&nbsp;Pool deck, every time.&nbsp;</span></p>- Caulk, Plaster & Paint2/14/2019 10:21:40 AMPool Fence & Gate Maintenancehttps://blog.poolcenter.com/article.aspx?articleid=6160<p><img alt="pool signs and pool fence laws" src="/designdocuments/40316-pool-area-keep-gate-closed.jpg" width="50" hspace="10" height="35" align="left" />For most of us, the selection and installation of a pool fence was done long ago, and we normally don't give the fence a second thought. Let's take a moment to give our pool fences and gates an inspection. Here's a list of things to look for and repair for your most important Layer of Protection.</p>- Fences & Barriers2/14/2019 10:16:39 AMBarriers to Entryhttps://blog.poolcenter.com/article.aspx?articleid=6086<p><span style="font-size: 10pt"><img alt="fence around pool" src="/designdocuments/blog_pool_fence-nice.jpg" width="50" vspace="10" hspace="10" height="62" align="left" />Barrier to Entry is the technical term for a good, solid pool fence. There is a difference between a fence and a barrier, however. Fences come in all types of shapes and conditions, but a Barrier, that is meant to keep out non swimmers. Fences may or may not be climbable, a Barrier is not. A fence may have a loose, rickety gate held in place with a bungee cord, but a Barrier - does&nbsp;not. </span></p>- Fences & Barriers2/14/2019 10:15:56 AMSwimming Pool Fencinghttps://blog.poolcenter.com/article.aspx?articleid=6058<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt"><span style="font-size: 10pt"><img src="/designdocuments/fencing-glass.jpg" width="40" vspace="10" hspace="10" height="30" align="left" alt="" />Adding that extra layer of protection use to mean calling in a professional to install fencing. Removable fencing nowadays is simplistic and can be installed by the average homeowner using a rotary hammer drill. The first step in setting up your pool fencing is to decide what size panels will be needed to comply with regulation and deciding what manufacturer to go with.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></div>- Fences & Barriers2/14/2019 10:15:15 AMThe Safety and Security of your Backyard Swimming Poolhttps://blog.poolcenter.com/article.aspx?articleid=6051<p><span style="font-size: 10pt"><img src="/designdocuments/babyonsafetynet.jpg" width="41" vspace="10" hspace="10" height="30" align="left" alt="" />Swimming pools are becoming more common in the backyard of homeowners.&nbsp;When acquiring a pool you are also acquiring an additional responsibility&nbsp;as well as&nbsp;a liability. Drowning accidents are typically silent so preventing the accident, as opposed to responding to the accident, is key. Safety barriers can be used to limit accessibility and add extra security to your pool.</span></p>- Fences & Barriers2/14/2019 10:14:46 AMPool Fence and Pool Gate Care And Repair
https://blog.poolcenter.com/article.aspx?articleid=6036<p><img src="/designdocuments/girl-outside-pool-fence.PNG" alt="" width="33" vspace="10" hspace="10" height="42" align="left" /><span style="font-size: 10pt">The most important piece of pool safety equipment is a pool fence. A broken, bent or non functioning fence or gate can spell disaster. A pool fence is the one barrier that will protect you from a lawsuit, so make sure that your pool fence is self closing, functional and secure.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>- Fences & Barriers2/14/2019 10:14:04 AMAnatomy of a Swimming Poolhttps://blog.poolcenter.com/article.aspx?articleid=6687<p><img src="getdocument.aspx?filename=Swimming-Pool-Plumbing-Diagram.jpg" alt="RainKlor salt system pool diagram" width="66" hspace="11" height="50" align="left" />Swimming pool anatomy 101 - what are the main components of a swimming pool?&nbsp;Here's a text based list and a few illustrated references - for the novice pool owner, to gain a better understanding of the circulation system and other pool equipment.</p>- Misc. Equipment2/12/2019 10:20:02 AMSwimming Pool pH and Total Alkalinity ~ Kissing Cousins!https://blog.poolcenter.com/article.aspx?articleid=6000<p><span style="font-size: 10pt"><span style="color: black"><img src="/designdocuments/blog-ph-logo.jpg" width="40" vspace="10" hspace="10" height="40" align="left" alt="" />Total Alkalinity and pH ~ close cousins I always say. Kissing Cousins. They are both measures of the relative acidity or basicity of your pool water. Keeping these cousins in line is important for bather skin and eye comfort, as well as for the care of your pool surfaces. Good levels also help keep your chlorine working most effectively. At higher levels, chlorine becomes very sluggish.</span></span></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>- Water Balance1/31/2019 2:37:14 PMCalcium Hardness in Swimming Poolshttps://blog.poolcenter.com/article.aspx?articleid=6077<p><span style="font-size: 10pt"><span><img src="/designdocuments/blog-calcium-chloride-2.jpg" alt="calcium chloride" width="50" vspace="1" hspace="10" height="50" align="left" />Calcium Chloride is a very useful compound. Once taken as a tonic for the sick and infirmed, it also serves as an excellant de-icer. Many commercial ice and snow melting chemicals are a form of Calcium Chloride. Pellets tend to work better than flakes for this purpose. But Calcium Hardness in swimming pools, that is our focus for this first article of four on your pool's water balance.<br />
</span></span></p>- Water Balance1/31/2019 2:36:54 PMTotal Alkalinity in Swimming Poolshttps://blog.poolcenter.com/article.aspx?articleid=6092<p><span style="font-size: 10pt"><span style="color: rgb(79,129,189); line-height: 115%"><span class="small"><span style="line-height: 115%"><span style="color: black"><font face="Calibri"><font face="Arial"><img alt="swimming pool total alkalinity" src="/designdocuments/blog-total-alkalinity-in-pools.jpg" width="50" hspace="10" height="51" align="left" /></font></font></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(79,129,189); line-height: 115%"><span class="small"><span style="line-height: 115%"><span style="color: black"><font face="Calibri"><font face="Arial">A close cousin of pH, the level of alkalinity in the water is a measurement of all <a title="Primary in the make up of total alkalinity and TDS." href="http://www.poolcenter.com/pnlingopg2.htm#CARBONATE">carbonates</a>, <a title="An intermediate form in the deprotonation of carbonic acid." href="http://www.poolcenter.com/pnlingo.htm#BICARBONATE:">bicarbonates</a>, <a title="the most common name for the diatomic anion OH&minus;, consisting of oxygen and hydrogen atoms, usually derived from the dissociation of a base. It is one of the simplest diatomic ions known." href="http://www.poolcenter.com/pnlingopg5.htm#HYDROXIDES">hydroxides</a>, and other <a title="Alkalis are best known for being bases (compounds with pH greater than 7) that dissolve in water. Alkaline is commonly used as a synonym for base, especially for soluble bases." href="http://www.poolcenter.com/pnlingo.htm#ALKALINE">alkaline</a> substances found in the pool water.&nbsp; pH is alkaline dependent; that is, alkalinity&nbsp;can be&nbsp;defined as the ability of the water to resist changes in pH.&nbsp; Also known as the buffering capacity of the water, alkalinity keeps the pH from &quot;bouncing&quot; all over the place.&nbsp;</font></font></span></span></span></span></p>- Water Balance1/31/2019 2:36:33 PMSwimming Pool Leaf Removal
https://blog.poolcenter.com/article.aspx?articleid=6228<p><img src="/designdocuments/leaves-in-the-pool.jpg" width="55" hspace="11" height="41" align="left" alt="" />I have always thought that trees have no business being planted around a swimming pool. Deciduous trees specifically, those that lose their leaves annually. Evergreen trees, even Pine trees are preferable. No trees around the pool makes for a stark landscape however, and little privacy. Trees also provide nice shade on a hot summer day, and a place for birds to perch and sing. HOW TO PREVENT AND REMOVE LEAVES FROM A POOL.</p>- Pool Cleaning1/31/2019 2:35:42 PMLeaves in the Pool: How to Dealhttps://blog.poolcenter.com/article.aspx?articleid=6320<p><input type="image" src="/designdocuments/blog-leaves-in-the-pool-2.jpg" longdesc="undefined" width="55" hspace="11" align="left" />Leaves in the Pool - how to deal with them, and effectively manage large volumes of leaves. How to keep leaves out of the pool and how to remove leaves from your swimming pool. If your pool is full of leaves or pool leaf removal is taking up too much of your time, this blog post is for you.</p>- Pool Cleaning1/31/2019 2:35:08 PMHelp! My pool is stained!https://blog.poolcenter.com/article.aspx?articleid=6111<p><span style="font-size: 10pt"><span class="ArticleHomePage_Body"><img alt="no drain acid wash kit" src="/designdocuments/blog-Plaster2.jpg" width="51" hspace="10" height="43" align="left" />Stains on the pool! Nobody likes to look at a stained pool, and even fewer want to swim in a stained swimming pool! Pool stains can form from neglect or from poor source water. Plastered pools are more susceptible to stains than vinyl lined pools or fiberglass pools, so the focus of this article will be on identifying and removing stains from a plaster pool. </span></span></p>- Pool Cleaning1/31/2019 2:34:50 PMBacteria in Pools & Spas ~ There's a Fungus Amongus!https://blog.poolcenter.com/article.aspx?articleid=6060<p><img src="/designdocuments/watersafe.gif" alt="bacteria" width="40" vspace="10" hspace="10" height="40" align="left" />The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) documents thousands of cases of disease outbreak in pools and spas every year. Bacterial, viral, and Parasites can lead to hospitalization and in rare cases can cause death.</p>- Pool Cleaning1/31/2019 2:34:01 PMThe Leaves Are Falling!https://blog.poolcenter.com/article.aspx?articleid=6061<p><img alt="autumn leaves - in your pool? " src="/designdocuments/autumn-leaf.jpg" width="40" vspace="10" hspace="10" height="34" align="left" /><span style="font-size: 10pt;">In my opinion, autumn is one of the best times of the year! The weather gets cooler, holiday decorations come out in full force, and the scenery of beautifully colored leaves can take your breath away.&nbsp;But if you are one of those &quot;lucky&quot; enough to have&nbsp;trees near&nbsp;your pool, this post is&nbsp;for you.</span></p>- Pool Cleaning1/31/2019 2:33:35 PMLeaves in the Pool ~ Heavy Duty leaf removalhttps://blog.poolcenter.com/article.aspx?articleid=6144<p><span style="line-height: 115%"><span style="color: black"><img alt="leaves in the pool" src="/designdocuments/blog-leaf-in-pool.jpg" width="50" hspace="10" height="71" align="left" /></span></span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;">We have shown up to customer's pools many times to find over a foot thick carpet of leaves on the bottom, and a thick layer still floating on top. And with this many leaves, the water begins to resemble ice tea, making the cleaning effort more difficult. </span></span><span style="color: black;">In this article, we&nbsp;discuss ways to prevent leaves from entering the pool to begin with</span></span></span></p>- Pool Cleaning1/31/2019 2:33:01 PMEnzymes…The Organic Eaterhttps://blog.poolcenter.com/article.aspx?articleid=6072<p><img alt="enzymes in pools" src="/designdocuments/blog-cellulase-enzymes-recombined.jpg" width="40" vspace="10" hspace="10" height="37" align="left" /><span style="font-size: 10pt"><span style="line-height: 115%">Enzymes are used as a biological agent to remove and neutralize contaminants in polluted water or soil in a process called bioremediation. Bioremediation can effectively degrade fossil fuels and fuel oils. Enzymes designed to bioremediate almost all fractions of crude or modified petroleum products were used in one of the worst oil spills ever recorder, The Valdez, owned and operated by Exxon.</span></span></p>- Pool Chemicals1/31/2019 2:31:26 PM